USAinsurance.com

Truck Liability

This is usually the most costly portion of any trucking company's insurance package. Protecting you from damage or injuries to other people as a result of truck accidents this coverage is also mandated by the State and Federal agencies and a form of proof is required to be sent to them.

Coverage is generally rated, and many time supplied to you, on a scheduled vehicle basis. This means that if the vehicle is not on the schedule then there is no coverage given. With only a few vehicles this is not normally a problem. The problem becomes more significant when there is a large fleet and/or many vehicle changes during the policy year. Care must be exercised and excellent communications established between your broker and yourself.

For larger fleets and company's requiring broader forms the policy can be issued on an any auto basis where no vehicle schedule changes are needed. This type policy insures you for your use of owned, non-owned, hired vehicles, subcontracted vehicles, even for the use of private passenger type vehicles. These policies can be written on a gross revenue or mileage premium rating method. In most cases selecting these options properly simplifies and can reduce the overall cost. It is important to understand the consequences of selecting a method, however, as a rise in your prices will increase your insurance premium even though your mileage may not change, if you are under the gross revenue program. As always, proper evaluation with your insurance broker will uncover the best alternative for you.

Various policy endorsements are available to extend alternative coverages to the auto liability. Pollution liability, as relates to the use of vehicles, is a form that should be considered always. Various deductibles are available to allow you to absorb some of your losses and reduce your overall cost. Interstate truckers will need the MCS90, the BMC91x, and the appropriate State form endorsements which extend coverage to the regulatory agencies. For a discussion on proper State and Federal requirements please see LICENSING elsewhere in these pages.

Policy limits, generally, for operations with trucks over 10,000 gross vehicle weight have a required limit of $750,000. This limit is set by the FHWA on interstate travel and, generally, matched by the various States.

BACK TO COMMERCIAL AUTO

BACK TO INSURANCE FAQ